This week, we're excited to welcome Dr. Bethany Raiff, a leader in combining technology with behavioral interventions to promote healthy behaviors. Dr. Raiff will share her insights on using innovative tools to support families raising autistic children, including video game-based learning and mobile interventions for encouraging positive habits. W…

This week, we are joined by Rachel Dorsey, an autistic speech-language pathologist. Rachel has an extensive background in supporting children with a variety of neurodivergences and medical conditions through speech, language, social connections, self-advocacy, emotional and sensory regulation, and feeding challenges. She is also working on developi…

This week, we are joined by Dr. Pranali Hoyle, a seasoned Behavior Analyst with over 20 years in the field, specializing in autism, ADHD, and more. Holding degrees from Kean University and a doctorate focused on mindfulness-based parent-child interactions, Dr. Hoyle is here to discuss the work she does at Neurodiversity of northeast and incorporati…

This week, we are joined by Milena Suarez, a passionate advocate for the autistic community. Born in Bogotá, Colombia, Milena pursued psychology at the Universidad Católica de Colombia, working with victims of domestic violence before moving to the U.S. in 2020. She recently completed her master's in ABA and is now on her way to becoming a Board-Ce…

This week, we are joined by Dr. Janie Funk, who is the Clinical Director at Behaven Kids, overseeing the ABA programs and services across all locations. Dr. Funk brings over a decade of experience in providing services for individuals with neurodevelopmental and related disabilities. Dr. Funk's contributions are pivotal in expanding Behaven Kids re…

This week, we are joined by Landa Fox, a BCBA and Certified Sexual Health Educator with extensive experience in autism and developmental disabilities. Landa specializes in inclusive sexual health education for autistic and neurodivergent individuals. Today, she'll share vital insights on the importance of this education, effective strategies for pa…

Join us on this week's Autism Weekly podcast where our host, Jeff Skibitsky, engages in a meaningful conversation with Dr. Nicole Young, Clinical psychology director for California at ABS Kids. This episode takes a deep dive into the significance of April, highlighting its importance as both Child Abuse Prevention Month and Autism Acceptance Month.…

This week, we are joined by Dr. Han Ren, a licensed clinical and school psychologist, consultant, and speaker, deeply committed to liberation and anti-oppressive work. Through widely viewed social media content, Dr. Ren makes mental health accessible, focusing on collective healing in marginalized communities like Asian-Americans and children of im…

This week, we are joined by Dr. Naima Bhana Lopez, an assistant professor of special education and BCBA-D at Niagara University in New York. Dr. Lopez specializes in enhancing social-communication opportunities for children with developmental disabilities. Her work also explores diversity and equity in special education, empowering natural communic…

This week, we are joined by Jarad Van, a Ph.D. student at The Pennsylvania State University, specializing in Special Education. With a background in behavior analysis and extensive experience working with autistic children, Jarad brings valuable insights into Precision Teaching. Join us as we discuss the benefits and future potential of precision t…

This week, we are joined by Dr. Bruce Tinor, Vice President at Black Men in Behavior Analysis (BMBA), and Principal at CCIU's Child and Career Development Center since July 2023. Joining him is Jeron Trotman, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst from Atlanta, GA. Jeron is not only a visionary and founder but also the president of Black Men in Behavio…

This week, we are joined by Dr. Casey Dupart a highly accomplished K-12 administrator, school psychologist, certified clinical trauma professional, and board-certified behavior analyst. With a diverse career spanning various educational settings across the globe, from Italy to Hawaii, Dr. Dupart brings a wealth of experience and expertise to our di…

This week, we're honored to have Dr. Wendy Chung, a leading expert in precision medicine and the genetic basis of autism. Dr. Chung's groundbreaking research at Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School is revolutionizing healthcare for children with autism and related conditions. Download to learn more! Resources: Chung Lab at Boston C…

This week, we are joined by Carrie Woodward, a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst and the brilliant mind behind Jumpstart the Journey. With over two decades of experience, Carrie's journey into autism began at Pepperdine University in 2002, igniting a lifelong passion for helping families navigate the complexities of autism spectrum disorders. By com…

Welcome to the latest episode of the Autism Weekly Podcast. This week, our special guest is Paul Constable, an optometrist, autism researcher, and a father with a personal journey. From coping with his son's autism diagnosis to breaking new grounds in autism research, Paul's life has been an unexpected journey full of inspiring perseverance and gro…

In this insightful episode of Autism Weekly, host Jeff Skibitsky and esteemed guest Dr. Matthew Wappet, Executive Director of Utah State University's Institute for Disability Research, engage in an illuminating discussion about reimagining the future of education to be more inclusive for individuals with disabilities. With a focus on autism, they c…

This week, we are joined by Dr. Eric Larsson, who is the Executive Director of Clinical Services at the Lovaas Institute Midwest, a Licensed Psychologist, and a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral. With extensive experience in autism intervention, he's currently researching high-intensity Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI) program…

This week, we are joined by Andrea Pollack, the founder of Autism Parent Solutions. With a mission to empower parents of autistic children and teens, Andrea guides families to build essential skills and inner strength, fostering unshakeable confidence, and joy in their parenting journey. Today, we delve into Andrea's unique 5-step approach to autis…

This week, we welcome autism advocate and author Sam Farmer BACK to the podcast for another appearance to talk to us about his latest published article “An Autistic’s Vision for Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapy”. This topic is important because it provides invaluable insights from lived experience, fostering inclusivity, and offering practical stra…

This week, we are joined by Katie York, also known as The Distracted Autistic. Katie is also the founder of Harford County Neurodivergents, a community group located in Maryland. Katie is also an educator, student, advocate, and community organizer with nearly fifteen years’ experience in community college workforce training programs. Katie's autis…

This week, we are joined by Dr. Judy Van de Water, a leading immunologist and autism researcher at the University of California, Davis. Dr. Van de Water has dedicated her career to understanding the immunological underpinnings of autism, exploring the role of maternal immune activation and autoantibodies in brain development. Join us as we delve in…

This week, we are joined by Judith Ursitti who is the Vice President of Government Affairs for CASP, the Council of Autism Service Providers. Formerly a CPA, Judith transitioned into autism advocacy when her son, Jack, was diagnosed at age 2. With over a decade of experience, she's been a driving force behind autism-related legislation in numerous …

This week we welcome Dr. Matthew Wappett to the podcast to talk with us about strategies for community inclusion and belonging. Dr. Wappett is a researcher, a writer, and an educator in leadership, stress management, and inclusion. His expertise in Disability Studies informs his approach to "compassionate leadership," which has been taught in a var…

This week, we are joined by Dr. Emily Casanova, who is a recent addition to the Neuroscience program and the Department of Psychological Sciences at Loyola University, New Orleans. With a background in psychology, anatomy, and neurobiology, Dr. Casanova's research focuses on autism, including its connections to hereditary connective tissue disorder…

This week, we are joined by Dr. Daniel Vogt, a leading researcher in the field of autism spectrum disorder. Dr. Vogt's work focuses on understanding the genetic and cellular aspects of autism, which can be incredibly valuable for parents and caregivers looking to support their children effectively. Join us as we delve into this fascinating world of…

This week, we are joined by Ariana DeAngelis, the Training Manager at The Autism Project. She's on a mission to educate people worldwide about autism, from teachers to doctors to businesspeople. With her background in Special Education and a commitment to continuous learning, Ariana is making a significant impact in the autism community. The topic …

This week, we are joined by the dynamic duo Kim Hughes and Amy Roberts who are ASHA certified Speech-Language Pathologists. Kim brings 23 years of experience, specializing in children with language disorders, ADHD, ASD, and Dyslexia. Amy, with nearly two decades in the field, focuses on articulation disorders and loves weaving yoga concepts into he…

This week, we are joined by Angelica Gilmore, a BCBA at ABS Kids from Southern California with a fascinating journey. She holds a BA in Anthropology from CSU Channel Islands and a Master's degree in ABA from National University. With nearly 5 years of experience in the field and 2 years as a BCBA, Angelica is passionate about making a positive impa…

This week, we are joined by Dr. Vanessa Rentschler, an audiology expert from Portland, Oregon, with a wealth of experience and a Doctor of Audiology Degree from Salus University. Dr. Rentschler specializes in improving hearing and listening skills through direct auditory training. Today, she'll discuss neurodiversity-affirming assessment and treatm…

This week, we are joined by Dr. Claudia Dozier, a Professor in the Department of Applied Behavioral Science at the University of Kansas. With a bachelor's degree from Florida State University, a master's degree from the University of Nevada, Reno, and a doctoral degree from the University of Florida, Dr. Dozier brings a wealth of knowledge to our d…

This week we are back with part 2 of our conversation with Johanna Staubitz, also known as Joey, who is an assistant professor of the practice in Vanderbilt University's Department of Special Education. Last Week Recap Topics The contrast between physical guidance and strictness in teaching methods. The importance of building a strong relationship …

This week, we are joined by Johanna Staubitz, also known as Joey, who is an assistant professor of the practice in Vanderbilt University's Department of Special Education. Joey's experience as a former special education teacher and school-based behavior analyst guides her approach to practitioner preparation and scientific inquiry. She's also a res…

This week, we are joined by Dr. Annette Estes, the director of the UW Autism Center and a licensed psychologist in the state of Washington. Dr. Estes is committed to clinical services, research, and training to improve the lives of individuals with autism spectrum disorders and their families across the lifespan. Today, we will be discussing sleep …

This week we are excited to have Lisa Wallace, the Clinical Director of the Tadpole Research Project at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, with us. With over 20 years of experience, Lisa has been providing intensive behavioral intervention for toddlers with autism and conducting training sessions for educators and speech/language pathologists. H…

This week we welcome Priya, Danielle, and Hannah – accomplished former Behavior Technicians turned BT Recruiters. Priya embarked on her ABA therapy journey in 2014, swiftly ascending to the role of Lead RBT at two different ABA providers. Driven by her dedication to children's well-being, Danielle transitioned from a behavior technician to a Senior…

This week, we are excited to have Dr. Pellecchia, an Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. She's a licensed clinical psychologist, Nationally Certified School Psychologist, and BCBA. Her research is focused on partnering with community stakeholders to develop feasible, sustainable, and effe…

This week, we are joined by Lisa, a dedicated autism parent who, for 12 years, experienced constant anxiety and self-doubt following her son's ASD diagnosis. As a single mom raising neurodivergent twin boys, she understands the challenges intimately. Through coaching, Lisa discovered the importance of self-care, digging deep into triggers, and crea…

This week, we are joined by Lauren Hough Williams. Lauren is the Executive Director of the Program for Inclusion and Neurodiversity Education, better known as PINE, an online platform which provides training and support to schools and districts committed to building more neuro-inclusive schools. Lauren is an autism and inclusion specialist, but fir…

This week, we are joined by Kari Lentchner. Kari is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who has been working with ABS Kids for two years and serving as an Assistant Director for almost five months. Kari's journey in the field of ABA and autism started about 8 years ago while she was living in New York. In this episode, Kari shares her experience of …

In this episode, we are thrilled to welcome back Dr. Robbie El Fattal, Founder and CEO at Maraca Learning, and a renowned expert in the field of autism therapy. Today, we'll be discussing a highly important and timely topic - private equity and its impact on the autism community. As our guest will explain, private equity firms have been investing h…

This week we end Pride Month with Camille "Cammie" Williams as our returning guest. Cammie’s work as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst primarily focuses on promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion through her advocacy for autistic individuals. She is also a proud advocate of the LGBTQ+ community, particularly as a Black, lesbian, cisgender woman…

This week, we are joined by Maisie the co-founder and director of the CATCH Clinic. Maisie has been working with Neurodivergent children, teens and adults for over 30 years. Her passion for supporting her client's authenticity as autistic individuals led to her mission to create a training curriculum for Neurodivergent individuals of all ages with …

This week, we are joined by Dr. Aaron Blocher-Rubin, President and CEO of Arizona Autism United, and Carey Beranek, Vice President of Children & Youth Services. On today’s episode we will be discussing ABA red and green flags and how recognizing them can help offer better ABA therapy treatment. With their combined 45 years of experience in the fiel…

This week, we are joined by Dr. Natalie Roth, a licensed clinical psychologist with a Ph.D. in childhood neurodevelopment delays. She is responsible for ensuring the highest quality of data-driven psychological care is delivered at ABS Kids locations throughout Utah. Dr. Roth attended the University of Utah and graduated from the American Psycholog…

This week, we are joined by Thomas W. Frazier, Ph.D., a board member of Autism Speaks and an accomplished autism researcher. Dr. Frazier is a professor of psychology at John Carroll University and the executive vice president for virtual and clinical care at Quadrant Biosciences. With over 17 years of experience in evaluation, treatment and researc…

This week, we are joined by not one, but two special guests. First up, we have Dr. David Cox, VP of Data Science for Rethink. With over 45 peer-reviewed articles and three books under his belt, Dr. Cox has dedicated his career to finding innovative ways to optimize behavioral health outcomes and clinical decision-making. We're also thrilled to welc…

This week, we welcome Michelle Rogers back to the podcast. For those of you who are new listeners, Michelle appeared in two of our previous episodes. In Episode 108, we talked about potty training and in Episode 112, we discussed building communication skills. One today’s episode, Michelle is here to talk about two important topics: behavioral issu…

This week, we have two amazing guests joining us. Ling Ly Tan, CEO of Linggo, and Jane Button, a BCBA with a wealth of experience, are here to share their insights on innovative approaches to autism treatment. With over 18 years of experience delivering behavioral interventions for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities, Ling is a t…

This week, we are joined by two board members from BABA, Black Applied Behavior Analysts. Dr. danyelle beal is a Clinical Psychologist whose dissertation research focused on resiliency factors in Black women who have survived trauma in their youth. She obtained her undergraduate degree at CSU Long Beach in Child Development and Psychology with a mi…

This week, we welcome Dr. Denise Ross-Page and Dr. Douglas Greer to the podcast to talk about the importance of supporting the literacy development of children with autism. Reading comprehension is a critical building block for effective early literacy development. Many students with autism spectrum disorder demonstrate difficulties in reading comp…